1132 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



in perfect health. The purity and strength of the vaccine is determined in the 

 Hygienic Institute of the University of Marburg, and is offered for sale through a 

 commercial firm in the city of Marburg. 



All persons who receive quantities of the vaccine obligate themselves to give a 

 detailed report concerning the results obtained with it. Thus far over 1 ,000 cattle have 

 been vaccinated outside of the Hygienic Institute of the University of Marburg, and 

 this number in addition to those which have been kept at the university have fur- 

 nished data which are believed to demonstrate that the principal underlying the 

 vaccination method used by the author is well founded. No more experiments, 

 therefore, seem to the author to be required to demonstrate the possibility of pro- 

 tecting cattle by this means of vaccination, but many minor points regarding the use 

 of the method in ordinary practice still remain to be determined. 



Animals which have been immunized by this method may be subsequently exposed 

 to natural infection without any reserve or without giving attention to the possible 

 presence of tubercle bacilli in their quarters. 



Chronic tympanites in cases of bovine tuberculosis, J. Hamoir (Ann. Med. 

 Vet, 53 (1004), No. 12, pp. 657-672). — The symptom of tympanites is considered as 

 almost characteristic of chronic tuberculosis in cattle. It has frequently been attrib- 

 uted to swelling and hypertrophy of the mesenteric and other lymphatic glands. 



The author believes, however, that this can not be considered as the only cause of 

 tympanites in such cases. The paralysis of the rumen due to compression of the 

 esophagus must be considered an important factor in the process. Attention is 

 called to the fact that cases of tympanites of unknown origin quite frequently occur 

 and must not be confused with those due to tuberculosis. 



Experimental tuberculosis in the endocardium, L. Bernard and M. Salomon 

 (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris], 57 (1904), No. 30, pp. 359-861).— The author found 

 that it was possible to produce tuberculosis of the endocardium in rabbits by inocu- 

 lation with tubercle bacilli in the arterial system and without introducing organisms 

 into the valves and other structures of the heart. 



In these experiments it was found that the tuberculous nodules occurred in large 

 numbers between the fibers of the myocardium and consisted of epithelioid and 

 giant cells. Nodules were also found under the pericardium consisting of lympho- 

 cytes and epithelioid cells. Experiments carried out by the authors seemed to dem- 

 onstrate that a tuberculous infection of the heart may take place as a result of the 

 2>resence of tubercle bacilli in the blood. 



Antituberculous serum therapy by means of the serum of vaccinated ani- 

 mals, Rappin and Blaizot (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris], 57 (1904), No. 33, pp. 

 448, 449). — Von Behring's experiments in vaccinating cattle against tuberculosis 

 were repeated by the authors with success. An attempt was made to utilize the 

 blood of a vaccinated heifer in the treatment of experimental tuberculosis in guinea 

 pigs. No beneficial effect was observed, however, by the use of this serum and it 

 was concluded, therefore, that the serum of vaccinated animals is not necessarily 

 active toward tubercle bacilli of human origin. 



Contagious abortion in cows, A. E. Moore (Amer. Yet. Rev., 98 (1904), No. 8, 

 pp. 743-747). — This disease is defined and notes are given on its symptoms and 

 course. There appears to be no natural immunity to abortion. The most successful 

 treatment consists in the use of carbolic acid, creolin, and other disinfectants. 



Milk fever and other calving troubles, J. R. Weir (Jour. Dept. Ayr. Victoria, 

 2 (1904), No. 10, pp. 991-998).— The symptoms and course of milk fever are briefly 

 discussed, together with notes on its etiology. In treating this disease the author 

 recommends the Schmidt treatment. Various general directions were also given 

 regarding the care of cows with especial reference to preventing the development of 

 milk fever. A similar discussion is also given of the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and 

 treatment of metritis and debility. 



